This schedule might change, depending on how long some of our
discussions take. Assignments might change, too. You’ll find links here to all
reading assignments, and also to the optional listening, which (like the
reading) you’ll be able to do online. I’ll e-mail all updates, including links
to any assignments that change.

All assignments should be done by the date they’re listed under. We’ll
be discussing them in class.

September 14

Introduction
to this course. What do we think about music criticism and music critics? (class discussion)

September 21

More
discussion of music criticism. How critics do their work.

September 28

Reading assignment

Some of my own
reviews (so you’ll know what kind of critic your teacher has been)

Rock critic and literary figure Greil Marcus goes into the heart of
an early Van Morrison song, “Mystic Eyes.” (The song comes from the first
album of Morrison’s first band, Them. Greil’s take on it comes from his book, When That Rough
God Goes Riding, about Van Morrison)

First paper
due. Please write a two-page review of some music I’ll put online.

Please e-mail this and all other assignments to
me. I don’t happily accept late assignments. If you’re going to be late with
your work, you absolutely must let me know in advance, and arrange another due
date

More on Thomson

Reading assignment

Four Thomson reviews, of four pianists. I think the reviews are
very different from each other. But I think they also have some things in
common. What’s your view?